# Explain why it is important for a patient to complete the full course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, even if they feel better before the course is finished.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 15.1 Drugs · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Some bacteria may not have been killed if the course is stopped early
2. Surviving bacteria may include those with a mutation conferring antibiotic resistance
3. Resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, passing on resistance
4. This leads to a larger population of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are harder to treat

## Key terms

- [antibiotic](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/antibiotic)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-it-is-important-for-76916a6e) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.